Sheet positioning device for duplicating machines



All@ 8, 1950 J, J. cAMPHousE 2,518,221

SHEET PosITIoNING DEVICE EoR DUPLIcA'rmG MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledSept. 17. 1945 l wen 07 aze MW U/torneys Aug 8, 1950 J. J. cAMPHousE2,518,221

SHEET POSITIONING DEVICE FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES 252%762071' ./afz J56772 02656 By 26h/www Aug. 8, A1950 J. J. cAMFl-lousls 2,518,221

SHEET PosITIoNING DEVICE FOR DUPLICATINGMACHINES Filed sept. 1'?, 1945 v6 Sheets-Sheet 3 All@ 8 1950 J. J. cAMPHoUsE 2,518,221

SHEET POSITIONING DEVICE FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1945 esheets-sheet 4 727/6372 for.' LQ 2g Q Q JM J Cam/wam@ l ,By 2Mb/6W( Aug'8, l950 J. J. cAMPHoUsE 2,518,221

SHEET POSITIONING DEVICE FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1945 6Sheets-Sheet 5 l 5 n n 5 u I u v f l v n n n fzz/aff' faire JKWUMSQ 5yZM www L/forzey Aug 8, 1950 J. J. cAMPHoUsl-z 2,518,221

SHEET POSITIONING DEVICE FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17. 1945Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Aug. 8, 1950 SHEET PGSITIONING DEVICE FOBDUPLICATIN G MACHINES John J. camp'nouse, oak Park, m., mmm to Ditto,Incorporated, Chicago, lli., a corporation i of West VirginiaApplication september rz, 194s, semi No. 616,635

9 claims. (0 1. fm1-132.5)

'Ihis invention relates to duplicating machines of the wet process type.

- It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved andnovel type of combined moistening and feeding means, which also servesto position the leading edge of a copy sheet, to the end that the copysheet may be fed into pressure contact with a master sheet in thedesired posif tion.

In previous devices of this general type. it has been the practice toposition the leading edge of a copy sheet within the bite between thecooperating feed rolls at such times as they are stationary. However,whenone of the feed rolls also serves as a moistening roll, a certainamount of moisture will be transferred to the feed rolls. This occursalong the end portions of the rolls and beyond the margin of the copysheet, and it also occurs at the central portion of the roll if there isany rotation of the rolls after the trailing edge of the copy sheet ispassed through. 'Ihis transfer of the solvent to the lnonmoistening feedroll is objectionable for the reason that when the rolls are stationary,a bead of solvent collects along the bite of the rolls which willsaturate the leading edge of the copy sheet which is positioned in thatbite. 'I'his saturated portion of the copy sheet will damage or crash-the master sheet.

Various expedients have been adopted to minimize this effect, one ofwhich constitutes the use of an absorbent material on the surface of thenonmoistening roll. Howeverfeven this is not entirely satisfactory forthe reason that the absorbent capacity of the roll is limited; and thepressure between the two rolls will cause a cer-` be positioned-betweenthe plate and the moistening roll. Thus, a dry surface is provided andthe disadvantages of the prior art overcome.

Another disadvantage of the prior art is that the absorbent,nonmoistening roll. being softer, is flattened considerably when the twofeed rolls are maintained in pressure engagement with each other, theamount of flattening varying with the pressure ofl the rolls againsteach other. This ilattening causes a variation in the position of whichinclude a gravity feed from the reservoir to the moistener proper,thereby dispensing with the pumps which have been previously used, and

also to provide a valve for automatically cutting off the solventsuppliedwhen the reservoir is removed for refilling.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent as thedescription proceeds.

With reference now to the drawingsin which like reference numeralsdesignate like parts- Fig. 1 is an elevation of a duplicating machineembodying a, preferred embodiment of my invention, a portion of thehousing being broken away; Y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the moistening andfeeding means;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing theparts in a changed position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 4, but showing the parts instill another position;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional y.view taken along' line 6-6 of Fig. l,showing the moistening unit;

Fig. 7 is 'a plan sectional view taken along line 'I-'I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detailed view, partly in section, of a portion of the supplyroller;

Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse section taken alc-ng line IU-Ill ofFig. 2; and

Fig. 1l is a .view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a mcdied form of myinvention.

With reference now to Figs. 1, 4 and 10. the duplicating machinecomprises a pair of side frames I5 and I6, between which a drum I1 ismounted on a shaft Il. A pressure roll I9 is dis- ,siasai A crank 2l isdisposed at the exterior of side frame l5 for rotating the shaft I8. Thedrum is provided with the usual gripper 23 which grips the leading edgeof a master sheet 24.

The operation of the device is such that when a moistened copy sheetpasses through the bite of the drum I'I and pressure roll I5, it isurged into contact with the master sheet 24. The surface of the mastersheet is provided with the usual inked characters, and the nature of thesolvent The operation of the device is such that when the parts are atrest, the plate 5l is urged by springs 44 upwardly against the undersurface of the feeding roll 34. Thus. when the leading edge of the copysheet Il is pushed up between the rolls 50 and 2l, its position will belimited by the V or is such that a small amount of the ink is disvsolved each time a copy sheet is pressed against the master sheet, thedissolved ink being transferred to the surface of the copy sheet. Afterthe copy sheets have passed through the bite of the drum and pressureroll, they drop int the usual receiving tray 25.

The duplicating machine is provided with a feed tray 21, upon which thecopy sheets may rest in a stack 26, and a suitably driven feed roller 25is provided to remove the top sheet from the stack at the properintervals.

- Between the stack 2 5 and the bite of the drum and pressure roll. aremounted a pair of feed rolls and 3l, the upper feed roll I0 also servingto apply a thin film of moisture to the surface of a copy sheet. Thefeed roll is mounted on a shaft I2. there being a free wheelingconnection betweenthe two so as to permit unidirectional rotation of thefeed roll. The shaft 32 may be driven in any suitable-manner, as by arack 53 mounted on a bell crank 54 which is pivoted on the side frameI6. The bell crank carries a cam follower 35 which engages a cam 55mounted on the drum shaft I8 and rotating therewith. Ro-

- tation of the drum and of the cam 35 will cause reclprocation of therack 33. thus driving the shaft 32 through a suitable pinion 31, andhence driving the feed roll 30.

Tlfv '.ower feed roll SI is mounted in bearings 39, 24;.. n in turn arecarried by a pair of levers 45, flgese levers being pivotally mounted at4I on a second pair of levers 42. Levers 42 are pivotally mounted onsuitable studs 45 which extend inwardly from the side frames I5 and I5.

Springs 44 are disposed between the tails 45 of levers 42 and studs 46,also mounted in the side frames. The springs 44 urge the levers 42 in aclockwise direction, thereby urging levers 45 and the lower feed roll 3iupwardly.

As shown in Fig. 10, the parts above described, are duplicated on bothsides of the machine; however, the construction of the parts on one sideare substantially identical to the construction of the parts at theother side of the machine, and hence, the same reference numerals areused for both.

Springs 41 are disposed between tails 45 of levers 42 and the tails 48of levers 40. These springs urge levers 40 in the counterclockwisedirection into the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the center line ofthe lower feed roll 3l is displaced rearwardly of the vertical planewhich passes through the center line of the upper feed roll Il.

The upper ends 49 of levers 40 are bent inwardly and a transverselydisposed plate is secured thereto. The position of plate 5I! is shown inFigs. 2 and 4, and the operation of the device is such that the partsabove described can assume either the position. shown in Fig. 2, inwhich the feeding rolls 30 and 3l are separated, or the position shownin Fig. 4, in which they contact each other in operative relationship.The upper ends of levers 42 are provided with cam rollers 5I whichextend into the paths of cams 52 on drum I1.

bite which is formed between the plate 55 and the feed roll 25. Afterthe feed roll 2l is caused to rotate, however, as by the operation ofthe cam 36, the bell crank I4, and the rack 32, the copy sheet and theplate 5I will be displaced forwardly, thereby bringing the lower feedroll 2i into contacting relationship with the feed roll 35. as shown inPig. 4. At the same time, the plate is depressed somewhat beneath thepath of the copy sheet, due to its pivotal mounting.

The timing of the rack u is such that the feed roll l5 starts to rotateas the drum passes through a given angular positio and the throw of therack is such that the leading edge of the copy sheet will be advanced asufficient distance so that it will engage the master sheet on the drumin the desired registry. After the leading edge of the copy sheet hasbeen engaged by the bite of the drum I1, and the pressure roll I9, thepull of the copy sheet causes the continued rotation of the feed rolls35 and II, even though there is no driving connection between the shaft32 and the feed roll l5, due to the free wheeling connection.

The motion of the levers 45 and their associated parts are limited by apair of abutments 54 and 55 which Aengage the opposite sides of stopblocks 5I, which are mounted on levers 42. The stop blocks 53, as shownin Figs. 2, 4 and 10. are preferably made of a shock absorbing material.such as rubber. Abutments 54 engage the lower surface of the stop blockto denne the Fig. 2 podtion, and the abutments 55 engage the uppersurfaces of the stop blocks 5l to define the Fig. 4, or operatingposition. It will be noted that in the last mentioned position. the axisof the lower feed roll 3| is disposed slightly forwardly of a verticalline drawn through the axis of the feed roll Il. This overcenterposition of the parts in operating position assists in maintaining theparts in that position during that portion of the cycle of the machinein which the feed roll 25 is not being driven by the rack 3l.

At a predetermined point in the cycle of operation, the cam rollers 5Iwill be engaged by the cams 52. as shown in Fig. 5. Thus, the levers 42are rotated against the tension of springs 44, to depress the wholelower feed roll assembly. Thus, the lower feed roll 3l is released fromits overcenter position, and the springs 41 will cause the parts toreturn to the position shown in Fig. 2.

A thin film of suitable solvent is applied to the surface of the upperfeed roll l0 by a moistening unit, designated generally by referencenumeral 54, and which is mounted adjacent the feed roll Il. Themoistening unit comprises a pair of slotted end members l5 and 55. whichare slidably mounted -on strips II and i2, which are attached to theside frames I5 and I5, as shown in Fig. 6.

Thus, the moistening unit as a whole, may bere-l moved from the machine.

A transverse member 52, suitably formed from sheet metal, connects theend members 55 and 5l, and also forms a bottom and side wall of themoistening unit. The forward edge of the transverse member 5I is turnedup, as indicated in Fig. 8, to forma trough 54 for the'reception ofliquid. An angle plate 55 also extends between the end members 5l and55, and is secured thereto, and cooperates with the transverse member 89to fo'rm a substantially rigid structure. As shown in Figs. 6 and 8,blocks 66 are suitably secured to the horizontal portion o'f'the plate65, and levers 61 are pivotally mounted on said blocks. A supply roll 68is journaled in the lower end of the lever 61.

Means are provided to urge the assembly, comprlsing the supply roll 88and the lever 61, forwardly and intocontact with the feed roll 38. Thesemeans compi-ire a pair of threaded collars 69 which are stacked to thevertical portion of the plate 65. Set screws 18 are disposed within thethreaded collars and bear against springs 83, the forward end of thesprings engaging the levers 61 to urge them forwardly. The tension onthe springs, and hence the contact between the rolls 68 and 38, may beregulated by the set screws 18. It will be seen that the solvent whichis picked up by the supply roll 68 is thereby transferred to the roll38.

Wiping means are provided to limit the amount of solvent which istransferred by the supply roll 68 to the feed roll 38. Such wiping meansare mounted on a bracket 1|, which, as shown in Figs. 4 and '1, issuitably secured to the vertical portion of the angle plate 65. A wiperplate 12 is provided with a plurality of downwardly extending lugs 13which lit into suitable apertures formed in the bracket 1|. To the wiperp'ate is suitably secured a forwardly projecting rubber wiper 14 whichis adapted to engage the surface of supply roll 68. It will be seen thatthe wiper assembly is supported at the rear end by the bracket 1|, andat the forward end, by the contact of the wiper 14 against the roll 68.Of course the wiper may be made of other suitable materials than rubber.However, it desirably is of sufficient stiffness to perform thesupporting function herein referred to.

Adjustable means are provided to regulate the contact between the wiper14 and the supply roll 68. These means include a plurality of verticallydisposed threaded collars 15 which are staked to the horizontal portionof the angle plate 65, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8. Springs 16 aredisposed within the collar 15 and bear against the wiper plate 12. Setscrews 11 cooperate with the threaded collar 15, and bear against theupper ends of springs 16 to regulate their tension.

I have found that improved results are obtained by using a pitted supplyroll, and as shown in Fig. 9, a series of pits 18 or depressions areprovidedin the surface thereof. Furthermore, I have found it desirableto under-cut the end of the roll 68, as indicated by the referencenumeral 19, and also to provide an annular slot 80 in the dished endsurface which is formed by the undercut. This construction assists inpreventing an undue accumulation of solvent at the ends of the supplyroll, which might otherwise result in a non-uniform film of solvent onthe surface of the feed roll 38.

A cover 8| is suitably secured to the transverse member 63 to enclosethe moistening unit, and to the forward edge of the cover is secured aguard plate 82 which serves to prevent inadvertent contact of the mastersheet with the feed roll 38. A

Projections or dogs 84 are provided on levers 61, which are adapted toengage the edge portion of the angle plate 65 to limit the forwardmovement of the supply roll 68 as the moistening unit 58 is removed fromthe machine.

Solvent is supplied to the trough 84 by means of a reservoir assemblywhich comprises a bottle 86. and a mounting block 81, shown in Fig. 6.Secured to the block 81 is a cup or threaded socket 86 which is adaptedto receive the threaded end of the bottle 85, and to support the same.Intersecting bores 88 and 89 are provided in the block 81, and a tube 98is inserted into the block and provides communication with the bore 89.The tube 98 is received within a U-shaped plate |88 which is welded orotherwise secured to the end member 68, the tube resting on the bottomof the trough 84, and the arrangement being such that the wholereservoir assembly, including the block 81, bottle 85, and tube 98, areswivelly supportedby the U -plate 88.

It will be noted that the lower end of the tube 98 is diagonally cut asindicated by the reference numeral 9|, to provide a lateral openingwhich determines the level of the liquid within the trough 64.

A clip |8|, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted on a plate |02, which in turnis secured to the side frame I5. This clip supports the bottle when thebottle is in operative position, that is, when its longitudinal axis istransverse to the machine,

as shown in Figs. 6 and 1. When it is desired to remove the bottle forrefilling, the end of the bottle which is toward the observer in Fig. 1,is swung backwardly, around an axis' concentric with the tube 98, inorder to disengage the bottle from the clip |82. Then the reservoirassembly, which includes the bottle 85, the block 81, and the tube 98,is lifted upwardly, disengaging the tube from the U-plate |88. Thereservoir assembly may then be tipped so that the bottle is in uprightposition, and the bottle unscrewed from the socket 86, in order that thebottle may be refilled.

Means are provided to automatically shut off communication between thebottle and the tube 98 when the reservoir assembly is removed from themoistening unit. Thus, the solvent will not continue to flow out of thetube into the trough 64, nor will it otherwise spill solvent over themachine. These means include a lug 92 which, is mounted at the rearportion of the block 81, and a lever 93, which is pivotally mounted onsaid lug, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. A plunger 94 is pivotally mountedon the lever 93 and extends into the bore 98, to serve as a valve. Whenthe lever 93 is depressed, the plunger will block the passage of solventthrough the bore 89. -It will be noted that the vertical bore 88 extendsbelow the horizontal bore 89 a slight extent. A by-pass 99 is providedin the lower end of plunger 95 to provide for the escape of solvent fromthis latter mentioned portion of the borev 88, thereby permitting theplunger to be depressed to the limit of its movement. Y

A spring 96 is tensioned between the lever 93 and the block 81, andserves to bias the lever 93 into valve closing position. The forward end91 of lever 93 is arranged to engage a bracket 98 on the side frame I6to maintain the lever in elevated, valve opening position. It will beseen that as the reservoir assembly is pivoted around the vertical axisor tube 98 preparatory to removal thereof, the end 91 will slip off ofthe bracket and automatically close the valve. Similarly, when replacingthe reservoir assembly, the valve will be maintained in closed positionuntil such time as the tube 98 engages the bottom of the trough. Then,as the reservoir assembly is swung into its operative position, theoperator can manually raise the end 91 of the lever 93 against .thetension of spring 98 in order'that it may be properly seated on thebracket 88.

The operation of the machine has been described in detail in connectionwith the operation of the separate parts. In general, it will be seenthat as a copy sheet 38 is fed, either manually or by feeding means 28,from the top of the stack 28, when the drum and its associated parts arestationary in their home position, the leading edge of the copy sheetwill be positioned between the plate 50 and the upper feed roll 30.Since the upper feed roll is generally of a comparatively hard material,such as neoprene, the line of contact between the roll and the platewill be comparatively narrow, thereby providing a more definite positionfor the leading-edge of the copy sheet. As the crank 2| is then turned,the upper feed roll 30 will commence its rotation at the proper time andfeed the leading edge of the copy sheet into the bite of the drum I1 andthe pressure roll I9 to provide the desired registry as the roll 30 isbeing rotated, it will displace the plate 50 forwardly and bring thelower feed roll II into operative engagement with the upper feed roll,the copy sheet, of course, being disposed between the two. Continuedrotation of the drum will cause the rolls 38 and 3I to be dragged by thecopy sheet, after the movement of the rack 33 has been completed'.Toward the end of the cycle of operation, the cam 52 will cause thelower feed roll assembly to become disengaged from its over centerposition, thereby permitting the springs 41 to return the parts to theirinitial position.

The contact between the upper feed roll 30 and the supply roll 68 willcause the latter to be rotated, thereby transferring solvent from thetrough 64 into which the supply roll dips, tothe surface of feed roll30. The pressure of the wiper 14 on the supply roll G8, and the pressurewhich supply roll 88 exerts against the feed roll 3l! may both beregulated, thereby providing means for controlling the thickness of theiim on the feed roll and the amount of solvent supplied to the copysheets.

A modified form of my invention is shown in Fig. 11, in which the lowerfeed roll 3l and the plate 50, instead of being pivotally supported on apair of levers, are slidably mounted in a pair of levers III). Eachlever III) carries a sleeve III, in which sleeve is disposed a slidingarm II2, a feed roll 3i being journaled in sliding arms II2. The plate50 is also mounted on sliding arms I I2, as also are the cam rollers 5I.

A spring I I3 serves to retract the sliding assembly into the positionshown in Fig. 1l. in which the plate 50 engages the moistening and feedroll 30. A cross bar I Il is provided to limit the backward movement ofthe sliding assembly. A spring I I5 urges the whole assembly, includingthe levers III) and the sliding assembly, upwardly so that the plate 50and the feed roll 3| will be in operative contact with the feed roll 30.A cross bar I I6 serves as a stop to limit the pivotal movement of theparts when the cam rollers 5I are engaged.

The operation of this device is substantially the same as that of thepreceding figures, with the exception that the assembly, including thefeed roll 3l and the plate 50, slides in and out of its respectivepositions.

Although I have shown and described only preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be understood -that various modifications and changesmay be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention asdefined by the appended claims.

8 I claim: 1. In a duplicating machine, a rotatable drum for holding amaster sheet, a cooperative pressure roll, a pair of feed rolls disposedone above the other, means for laterally shifting one of said feed rollsinto and out of cooperative engagement with the other, and a platehaving a common Asupport with said shiftable feed roll and laterallyspaced therefrom so as *o engage said nonshiftable feed rollalternatively with said shiftable feed roll.

2. In a duplicating machine, a rotatable drum for holding a mastersheet, a cooperative pressure roll, a. pair of feed rolls, means forintermittently driving one of said feed rolls, means for shifting theother of said feed rolls in a tangential direction into and out ofcooperative engagement with the other, and a plate having a commonsupport with said shiftable feed and spaced therefrom in said tangentialdirection roll, and adapted to engage said non-shiftable feed rollduring such times that the latter is stationary.

3. In a duplicating machine, a rotatable drum for holding a mastersheet, a cooperative pressure roll, a pair of feed rolls, means forintermittently driving one of said feed rolls, a laterally shiftablemounting for the other of said feed rolls, means for applying a film ofmoisture to the non shiftable feed roll, a laterally shiftable platemovable with said laterally shiftable mounting for contacting said nonshiftable feed roll alternatively with the shiftable feed roll, andmeans for separating said feed rolls and for bringing said plate intocontact with said non shiftable feed roll during at least a portion ofthe time that said feed rolls are not rotating.

4. In a duplicating machine, a feed roll, a laterally displaceableassembly comprising a plate and a second feed roll laterally spaced fromeach other and adapted for alternative engagement with said rstmentioned feed roll, a drum, a driving connection between said drum andsaid first mentioned feed roll, and means to cause operation of saidshiftable assembly from plate contacting position to roll contactingposition during predetermined portions of the rotation of said drum.

5. In a duplicating machine, a feed roll, moistening means therefor, alaterally displaceable assembly comprising a plate and a second .feedroll laterally spaced from each other and adapted for alternativeengagement with said first mentioned feed roll, a drum, an intermittentdriving connection between said drum and said first mentioned feed roll,and means to cause operation of said shiftable assembly from rollcontacting position to plate contacting position when said rolls arestationary to permit the positioning of a copy sheet in the bite formedbetween said first mentioned feed roll and said plate.

6. In a duplicating machine, a frame, feeding means comprising acombined moistening and feeding roll journaled with respect to saidframe, a pair of levers pivoted on said frame, a second pair of leverspivotally mounted on said rst mentioned pair of levers, a second feedroll journaled in said second pair of levers at a point above said firstpair of levers and adapted for pivoted mdvement with respect to said rstpair of levers, said movement being in a lateral direction so that saidsecond feed roll can move in and out of cooperative engagement with saidfirst feed roll, a plate laterally spaced from said second feed roll andcarried by said second pair of levers in a position such that it willengage said combined moistening and feed roll when said second feed rollis in non-cooperative position to form a bite wherein a copy sheet maybe positioned when said first feed roll is stationary, means to rotatesaid combined moistening and feed roll to cause said second pair oflevers to be rotated in order to bring said second roll into cooperativeengagement with said combined moistening and feed roll, and meansoperative during a predetermined portion of the cycle of operation ofsaid duplicating machine to automatically depress said first pair oflevers in order to permit the return of said second pair of levers to aposition in which said plate will engage said combined moistening andfeed roll.

7. In a duplicating machine. a rst feed roll, means for intermittentlydriving said first feed roll, a laterally displaceable assembly carryingtwo feed roll engaging elements adapted for alternative engagement withsaid first feed roll, one of said elements comprising a plate having asurface cooperating with said first feed roll to form a bite wherein theleading edge of a copy sheet may be positioned when said rst feed rollis stationary, and the other of said elements comprising a rotatablymounted second feed roll for cooperation with said rst feed roll to holda copy sheet against said first feed roll as said copy sheet is beingfed forwardly. said plate being spaced forwardly of said second feedroll and being adapted to engage the same in driven relationship wherebyrotation of said first feed roll, when engaged by said plate, will causesaid plate and said assembly to be displaced forwardly so that saidsecond feed roll will be brought into cooperative engagement with saidfirst feed roll.

8. In a duplicating machine as claimed in claim 7, the combination of aresilient mounting for said displaceable assembly and a stop to limitthe displacement of said assembly so that said second feed roll ismaintained in an over-center position in cooperative engagement withsaid first feed roll.

9. In a duplicating machine as claimed in claim 8, the combination ofmeans for depressing said resilient mounting to disengage said secondfeed roll from said over-center position, and means to return saiddisplaceable assembly to plate contacting position.

JOHN J. CAMPHOUSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS y

